Angry scenes break out after Pompey match

Ellie Pilmoor

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ROWDY scenes erupted among fans before and after yesterday’s Pompey match.

Police were called to deal with a number of incidents in Fratton involving Pompey and Oxford supporters.

At around 1.45pm, officers attended the Red, White and Blue pub, on Fawcett Road, following a report of a public order incident. A number of officers and police horses remained at the venue to maintain the peace.

The group involved in this incident were escorted along Fawcett Road and Goldsmith Avenue. During this time, tensions began to run high and police dog units were deployed. A group of fans were contained in the Lidl’s carpark while order was restored.

For a short time immediately after the match, officers had to separate opposing fans along Goldsmith Avenue causing traffic congestion.

A man was arrested and charged in relation to damage to a seat within Fratton Park.

Police in Goldsmith Avenue

Connor Wakefield, 20, of Kings Close, Thame, Oxfordshire has been charged with criminal damage to property and will appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on February 23.

In a separate incident to Saturday’s events, police arrested a 29-year-old man from Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday in connection with racist chanting at the Portsmouth vs Luton game on December 28, 2015. He received a formal caution.

Match commander, Superintendent Kelly Whiting, said: ‘We work hard with Portsmouth Football Club to take all necessary steps to prevent crime and disorder in relation to football matches.

‘We adopt a firm, proportionate but robust policing approach to address anyone intent on disorder, to ensure the safety of the public is maintained.’